What is Swiss Machining? Benefits & Applications

No matter who manufactures with a Swiss lathe machine, they’re guaranteed to be precise. These machines can work on components or parts that are less than an inch in size. Some Swiss lathe machines can process components as small as 12 mm or less in diameter. Because of this precision, manufacturers in tightly regulated industries like aerospace or the medical device industry trust that any Swiss lathe machine will ensure precision.

Swiss lathe machine processing time varies by machine, but they generally can produce over 30 parts per hour. Also, since multiple tools on Swiss lathe machines allow them to mill, drill, ream, and saw, the processing time is used more efficiently. A Swiss lathe machine can work on components with multiple processing needs instead of using multiple conventional lathe machines for one component.

Swiss lathe machining is versatile enough to use on a wide range of materials, such as:

• Aluminum
• Bronze
• Brass
• Copper
• Hastelloy
• Monel
• Steel
• Stainless steel
• Titanium

The smaller tooling and multi-tool use by Swiss lathe machining is the main reason why it’s so cost-effective. Because the tooling is so intricate, it can create multiple parts from one sheet rather than wasting an entire sheet on one part. Additionally, components requiring multiple processing techniques can all be done with one Swiss lathe machine instead of having to use multiple. Because multiple parts can be made instead of one, it’s more cost-effective.

As mentioned, less waste is created because multiple parts can be made from one unit. But, there is also less waste because there is less of a possibility of a production error.

When using a conventional lathe machine on intricate parts, a processing error will likely occur either by human fault or by the machine tooling being too large. Because intricate parts are usually used in industries with strict regulations, one small mistake could be detrimental to the entire product and cause the whole part to be discarded. Using a Swiss lathe machine reduces these errors, which creates less waste.

Here is a list of just a few industries that are utilizing this machining:

• Aerospace
• Automotive
• Chemical
• Construction
• Dental
• Electrica
• Marine
• Musical instruments
• Medical devices
• Nuclear
• Oil

Since Swiss lathe machining spans across so many industries, there are many different components that these machines work on. Some examples include:

• Connectors
• Pins
• Sockets
• Fuel injectors
• Valves
• Screws
• Firearm barrels
• Dental brackets
• Mirrors
• Bolts

Although Swiss-style machining is used across all of these industries, the two industries that benefit the most from Swiss lathe machining are aerospace and medical devices.

The medical device industry is known for intricate tools and equipment. Especially recently, as medical device innovation becomes smaller and more personalized for patients, these devices must fit strict regulatory standards for the best patient outcomes. Some examples of devices that Swiss lathe machines may process include:

• Cutters
• Implants
• Prosthetics
• Saws
• Clamps
• Scissors
• Heart rate monitors
• MRI scanners
• X-ray scanners
• Tubes
• Catheters
• Bone screws

Since some of these devices will be inserted into the human body for a perfect fit in replacement of an actual human body part, they need to be the exact precise size, which is why Swiss-style machining is used. Swiss-style machining has unbeatable accuracy, with some machines boasting remarkable precision.

In the aerospace industry, Swiss machining is used for complex components for aircrafts, using processing methods like turning, milling, and deburring. Some examples of components that Swiss lathe machining for the aerospace industry are:

• Valve seat
• Machined reflector
• Aileron pulley cover housing
• Door hatch stop
• Control valve housing
• Connectors
• Fittings